Abstract

DRUG PRESCRIBING PATTERN AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT IN A RURAL TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Satish Kumar B. P., Liya Elsa Abraham*, Dr. Abel Abraham Thomas and Dr. Laxman Wagle

Abstract

Introduction: Drug prescribing in pregnancy must be careful to avoid any risk to fetus and mother. A drug prescribing pattern helps to evaluate the prescribing practice among pregnant population and thereby reduce the risk. Hence the study was conducted to evaluate the present prescribing pattern and to access the knowledge regarding the drug use among pregnant women. Methodology: A prospective and observational study was carried out in 150 pregnant women for nine months. Data was obtained from direct interview and treatment chart of subjects which were recorded in case report form. WHO Prescribing indications and the FDA pregnancy categorization was used. Results: Majority of subjects were under the age group of 21-25(42%) who gained secondary education. Majority of the patients were under primigravidity (46%) and were at third trimester (74%). About 574 drugs were prescribed; each prescription contained an average of 3.82 drugs. About 16.2 % of subjects received at least one antibiotic and 18.8 % of patients received at least one injection. The total percentage of drugs prescribed in generic name was 6.2% and percentage of drugs prescribed from Hospital Formulary was 92.1%. About 98.6% of the subjects were unknown about the risk associated with taking drugs during pregnancy. Antibiotics were prescribed to majority of pregnant women. Most of the drugs prescribed belong to category C. Conclusion: This study clearly showed that prescribing pattern of drugs in pregnancy needs to be continuously evaluated in order to promote the more rational drug prescribing to decrease morbidity/mortality associated with

Keywords: Pregnancy, It?s Prescribing Indicators, Fda Category, Drug Prescribing Practice.